offlimits1

"We've got to keep this underwraps," Brad said to the illustrious Monika. "If anyone finds out about our relationship, we could both lose our jobs."

Monika, usually a loud and cheery young woman, sat solemly in Brad's Escalade as they drove down Melrose. Brad and Monika met when Monika auditioned for Popstars 2 on the WB network where producer Brad Daymond was a judge. They had an instant attraction the moment they laid eyes on each other, but niether of them felt it was appropriate to approach each other during the audition process.

The couple began seriously dating after Monika was chosen to be a part of Scene 23, the new Popstars group. Now, five months later, Monika was getting weary of trying to keep her feelings for Brad covered up. They would talk late at night on the phone, trying to keep quiet. They got to see each other almost daily in the recording studio, but there they had to be strictly professional and act as if nothing was going on. In order for her to see Brad, she had to lie. She would tell her roomies that she was going for a drive or out for a walk. Or she'd say she'd say she was going out shopping or running errands. She hated lying to her friends and fellow groupmates, but she didn't want to risk losing her spot in Scene 23. She was running out of excuses and she felt that her friends, Laurie and Dorothy may be getting suspicious. She was ready to call the whole thing quits, but over the last several months Monika had fallen head over heels in love with Brad and there was no turning back.

They pulled up to Monika's favorite store on Melrose, New York. Before they got out, Brad tooked Monika's hand in his and said, "Babe, you know I wish we could come out with our little sercret, but we can't right now"
He looked Monika straight in the eye and continued, "Nika I love you and I want more than anything than to tell the world, but we'll lose our jobs and I don't think that either one of us are prepared to do that."

"I know", Monika responded, "But this is so hard on me. I have no girlfriends to confide in or go to for advice...." Her voice trailed off. Her voive quivered and she felt tears welling in her eyes. Brad sensed her vulnerability and said nothing. Instead he leaned over, kissed his lady on the forehead and pulled her to him in a strong embrace.

The next couple of days were very hectic for Scene 23. They had a strict recording deadline. Long days in the studio were Monika's favorites. Those days meant she was able to sing her heart out in the booth while singing every note directly to Brad while he observed behind the board. Brad would sit behind the glass, next to his partner, Alex G., and just gaze in awe at Monika.

Laurie, Josh, Donavan and Dorothy headed home around 11pm that night, but Brad inconspicuosly to stay longer to "Brush up on the chorus." The rest of Scene 23 thought nothing of it and headed home. After everyone left, Monika and Brad put on their favorite song that Scene 23 was working on, "The Greatest" and they just sat in the lounge and rocked back and forth in each others arms. Not really dancing but definitely not standing still. These were Brad's favorite times with Monika. He loved holding her slender frame, smelling her perfume, gazing into her tantalizing eyes. He loved just watching her. He loved everything about her, but most importantly he loved the way she made him feel. He felt young again, like he was in high school. She'd beat him at video games, kick his butt in Twister and playfully tackle him when they were both in a joking mood. While he was standing there holding her, he thought to himself,
"Maybe she's the one I should risk losing my job over."

They danced, hugged and kissed until 2am. It was then when Monika realized she really had to get home. She needed a goodnights sleep since the group had an 8am call time in the dance studio. Brad's escalade pulled up to the Scene 23 house and he leaned over and kissed Monika deep and passionately. Monika pulled on her jacket and stepped out of the car.

"Goodnight."

Brad pulled away as soon as Monika was safe inside. Just as his car drove out of sight, in the window, Dorothy pulled away from the window and closed the blinds. Her mind was racing. What had she just seen?
Dorothy ran to her bed, shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep as Monika quietly slipped into bed. She fell asleep dreaming of where her life was headed. Being on stage, touring internationally and raising a family with Brad Daymond and living happily ever after. It was a fairytale dream, could it come true??

CHAPTER TWO COMING SOON!! Join the Scene 23 Fiction Mailing list to know when Chapter 2 is released!!